Valve actuating mechanism for internal combustion engines



March 28, 1933. P. GERARD VALVE ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Fi led March 14, 1950 Patented Mar. 28, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PAUL GERARD, OF LAUREL, MONTANA Application filed March 14, 1930. Serial No. 435,976.

This invention relates to valve actuating mechanism for internal combustion engines and is an improvement on my invention relating to valve actuating mechanism for internal combustion engines disclosed in application for Letters Patent filed in U. S. Patent Oflice October 22, 1929, Serial No. 401,459.

The primary object of this invention is to provide means for coupling the Valve mechanism to a valve in a flexible manner whereby certain contact points are eliminated, and whereby the movement of the actuating lever as a unit with the valve is effected.

Another object of this invention is to provide a coupling mechanism so designed and constructed that when used in connection with my valve actuating mechanism for internal combustion engines, will cause the 2 mechanism to have direct action on the valve,

also permitting adjustments to advance or retard the movement of the valve in association with which it is employed.

Another object of this invention is to take advantage of the novel characteristics of my valve mechanism; namely, a sharper opening and closing of the valve, also a longer duration of maximum Valve opening'than in the present systems, and a novel cam arrangement which will permit the natural seating of the valve without taking into consideration clearance for heat expansion.

Another object of this invention is to provide collars on the cam roller shaft whereby a more complete enclosure for confining the oil is eifecte In order to make a clear and comprehensive description, it will be necessary to take into consideration the entire valve actuating mechanism together with the improvements,

with theunderstanding, however, that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawing, but may be changed or modified so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section, of one of the valve operating units embodyingthe present invention. Figure 2 is a View in top plan of the struce ture shown in Figure 1. I 5

-Figure 3 is a sectional View taken upon line 3-3 in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the lever with cap removed.

Referring more particularly to the drawing wherein like numeral of references-indicate corresponding parts through the several views; No. 1 indicates generally the head of an internal combustion engine showing the application thereto of the coupling and valve actuating mechanismembodying the present inventions.

p The present mechanism is designed for the operation of the overhead type of valve and as shown is supported by a series of arbors 2 which are mounted upon and formed integral with the engine'head, there being one of these arbors for each of the valves to be op: erated by the mechanism. 7

Each of the arbors comprises an upper portion 3.

Directly in alignment with each arbor'2 transversely of the engine there extends upwardly through the engine head a valve stem 8, the upper end ofwhich is provided with threads for the reception of the sleeve 7, which is threaded and screwed onto the valve stem 8, in the manner shown. The sleeve is maintained in position by a tapered round key 10 passing through the sleeve and stem. Directly above and in alignment with the sleeve 7 there extends downwardly a push rod 15 with a ball 4 formed integral with the rod 15. The ball 4 is snugly received into the socket 2 of the sleeve 7. V The outside of the socket 2 is threaded for the reception of the socket cap 5 which is also threaded and placed over the ball 4 and screwed on to the socket 2 in the manner 9 shown. The upper portion of the socket cap 5 is cutaway to form the clearance or recess 41 around the push rod 15 in the manner shown. The upper end of the push rod is 7 provided with threads for the reception of 10 the finger 14 of the actuating lever 13 and the locking nut 16.

The face of the upper end of push rod is provided with a slot 42 which is usedto turn push rod when assembling and adj ustlng.

It is intended that these parts be machined to close limits and a drop of oil be placed into socket 2 when assembling, thusbearing clearance is'effected.

It is apparent from the foregoing description that a flexible connection or coupling is made which will respond to a downwardly push and an upwardly pull, also a coupling whichwill permit the valve to turn or revolve while operating.

- Note :A poppet valve when operating will turn at times in order to come to a true seat.

The valve stem '8 is normally urged upwardly by a conical coiled spring 9 surrounding it and bearing against the sleeve 7.

The inner face of each of the arbors 2 is formed in the upper portion thereof to pro vide a bearingcradle 11 and seated in this hearing cradle is the bearing or hinge knuckle 12 which forms an integral part of the actuating lever for the adjacent valve indicated generally by the numeral 13.

Each of the actuating levers 13 comprises an elongated. flat body from one end of which theknuckle 12 extends the body tapering towards the other end to form the finger 1 1- which when the knuckle 12 is in the bearing cradle 11., overlies the adjacent valve stem 8 and the flexible coupling indicated generally by the numeral 43 in the manner shown.

'Thi s finger 1 1 has, a threaded passage formed therethrough for the reception of the push rod 15 of the coupling 13 to actuate the valve.

A suitable locking nut 16 is used in association with the push rod 15 to maintain the lever 13 in set position.

Intermediate its ends each of the actuating levers 13 has formed in the upper edge the semi-circular recess 17, the face of which is formed or cut away to provide the track groove 18 in the lower portion of which is formed a concave shaped or curved cam body 19 which extends approximately one half of the length of recess 17 in the manner shown.

The face of the cam body is graduated so that the face increases in height and is indicated by the numeral 20.

It will be noted that as roller 35 moves away from the fulcrum it will require a gradual increase in height of cam body 19 in order to maintain maximum valve opening which is an'advantage in that it permits the roller to gradually climb the cam and at the same time maintain maximum valve openlng until it starts to leave the cam, also at the same time giving roller 35 a wedglng action.

v 'Extending longltudmally of the englne adjacent bushing 22 so that oil may pass from the groove 18 to the bushing to lubricate the same. 7

Secured to the top edge of each actuatlng lever 13 is an oil retaining cap 24. Each of these caps is formed to provide a semi-circular recess 25'.

The radial center of which is slightly above the radial center of recess 17 in the underlying lever.

The inner face of the recess 25 of each of the caps is cut away enough to clear the rotating roller 35 slightly more than the distance of the height of cam body 19 and forming the groove 26 which aligns at its ends with the groove 18, in the lever in the manner shown. At each end each of the caps has a laterally projecting ear 2? through which a securing screw 28 is passed for-engagement in the body of the supporting lever to prevent the removal of the cap.

The valve levers 13 are each normally urged upwardly by a coiled spring 31, the lower end of which sets into a pocket or depression 32 formed into the engine head under the lever while the upper end engages a projection 33 formed upon the lower side or edge of the lever 13. '7

It will thus be seen that the lever 13 and its cap will be normally forced upwardly by the spring 31 so as to maintain constant seating of the valve and the natural seating of the valve is the means used to stop the upward movement of the lever 13 at its cap. Extending longitudinally of the engine head or top 1 is a cam roller shaft 3 1, this shaft extending through the coacting recesses of the aligned levers and caps and'having its longitudinal center substantially same horizontal plane as the radial center of the recess 17 of the levers, but free from ongagement with the edges of the recess.

Spaced at suitable intervals longitudinally of and also circumferentially of the cam roller shaft 34 are cam rollers 35, each of which is snugly received in the grooves 18 and 26 of the levers and its associate cap.

Each of these rollers is preferably held in place in the pocket 36 in which it isvpositioned by the pin 37 which extends longitudinally of the. shaft and is inserted to position from the recess or pocket as shown.

Spaced at suitable intervals are collars surrounding the shaft and inclosing track grooves 18 and 26 of the levers and caps when assembled in position. The collars are indicated by the numeral 6. Any suitable means may be employed for in the supporting the cam roller shaft .34 so that it will be free from contact with the lever bodies and their caps, the rollers only engaging the levers at the period which will be hereinafter described.

The cam roller shaft 34 has extendinglongitudinally therethrough an oil passage 39 which communicates by means of lateral passages 40 with each of the cam roller pockets 36 so that oil forced into this passage or bore 39 may be distributed to each of the cam rollers and will then flow from the same into the track grooves in which it works, some of the oil being forced therefrom through the'oil passage 23 to lubricate the bearing bushing 22. V

In operation the adjusting push rod 15 is arranged so that rotating roller 35 is in desired position or desired relation to cam body 19.

The rotating roller will engage the gradu-; ated cam body 19 and sharply force the lever down for the opening of the valve adjacent thereto. The graduated cam body will maintain maximum valve opening until the cam roller starts to leave the cam body, the effect being sharp opening and closing of the valve, also maintained maximum valve opening which will effect complete elimination of burnt gases resulting in a more eflicient engine operation.

Adjustment of the levers for advancing or retarding of the valve is effected by actuation of the push rod 15. The retarding be-.

ing brought about by turning the push rod 15 so as to slightly depress the lever 13 to move the cam body 19 away from the roller 35.

Advance opening is brought about by turning the push rod in the opposite direction so that contact between roller 35 and cam body 19 will occur soon after the roller passes the horizontal center of the groove 18, thus applying downward pressure to the lever sooner than would be the case if the push rod were moved as previously described.

From the foregoing description it will be noted that with the retarding of the valve the duration of opening, also the stroke, is shortened and with the advancement of the valve the duration of opening and'the stroke is lengthened.

It will also be noted that controlling the operation of the valves of an internal combustion engine, extremely fine adjustments may be made to bring about the opening and closing of the valve in the manner desired, and further, these adjustments may be easily made so that the immediate results can be noted.

It will also be noted that the present mechanism may be so adjusted that the particular valve which it is set to control may be completely thrown out of operation, if such a procedure is found necessary due to the fact that the height of the cam body 19 is less than the distance between the roller 35 and the inner face of the groove 26 of the oil retaining cap 24: when the roller 35 isin position therein, this-throwing out of operation of a valve is accomplished by turning the push rod 15 so as to depress the lever 13 down to the point where the roller 35 will pass freely over the cambody19.

From the foregoing preferred construction as described and shown it will be noted that it may be desirable to reverse the cam body 19 and the cam roller-35, also change the oilpassage 39 from the shaft 34: to the hinge rod 21.

In such'event I may form upon the shaft 34 between the collars 6 a cam body 19 which extends around approximately one quarter of the shaft3l'and position the cam roller 35 in the lower part of the track groove 18.

In suchevent the hinge rod 21 has extending longitudinally therethrough an oil pas-' sage 39 which communicates by means'of the oil groove 23 with the track grooves 18 and 26 so that oil forced into this passage will lllbIi-l cate the bearing bushing 22 and then flow into the track grooves 18 and 26 to lubricate-the roller 35. i

In such event, in operation the cam body is rotated by the shaft 34 and travels in; tracks 18 and 26 and the adjustments are madeas described before by changing the position or the relation of roller 35 to thecam body 19. The roller 35 only engaging the cam body 19 and not touching anyother part of the 1 1. A valve actuating mechanism comprising alevermeans for flexibly mounting the lever with a valve body mean'sfor pivotally mounting the lever resilient means normally urging said lever upwardly, a shaft extending transversely of the lever, a collar carried by the lever and surrounding said shaft, collars carried by said shaft surrounding said shaft and enclosing said collar which is a part of said lever, a cam roller. carried by said shaft which is adapted to be surrounded by said collar which is'a part of said lever, a cam surface forming apartwofsaid-collar which is a part of said lever and adaptedto be eiigaged by said roller.

2. valve actuating mechanism comprising a support designed to form a part of an engine head and including a lever swingingi'y connected with said support and having one end united with a valve stem, said lever having a semi-circular recess formed therein, and further having the wall of said recess, provided with agroove, a cam body formed across the said groove, a cap adapted to be secured over said recess and having a grooved recess formed therein coinciding with the groove in the lever,- a shaft extending through the open- 7 ing formed by said coincidlng recesses, a loam roller carried by the shaft and workingin said groovesfor contact with said-cam body;

3. A valve actuating'mechanism co1nprising a support designed to form part of an engine head, a lever.swinginglyvconnected withsaidasupport-and having its other end arranged with a coupling said'coupling coupled to a valve stem said lever having a semicircular recess formed therein and further having the wall of said recess provided with agroove, a cam body formed in said groove, a cap adapted to be secured over said recess and having a grooved recess formed therein coinciding with the groove in'said lever, a cam shaft extending through the opening formed by said'coinciding recesses, a cam roller carried by said shaft and placed in said grooves for engagement with said cam body and a spring member arranged beneath the lever and normally urging the same upwardly.

4. In a valve actuating mechanism for internal combustion engines, including a valve having a stem projecting upwardly ofthe en-' gine body,"said valve stem carrying a flexible coupling, an elongated member pivotally mounted atone end and having its other end i attached to said coupling resilient means normally urging said member to swing upwardly, means for limiting the upward movement of the member and said member being formed to provide a substantially elliptical recess having a groove formed about the inner'face thereof, a shaft extending transversely through said recess, a roller carried by said shaft and collars carried by said shaft enclosing said roller and said groove, said roller adapted to position in said groove, a graduated cam body formed withinpthe groove in the lower part of said recess for contact with said roller said cam roller being mounted in the recess-in said shaft between said collars and means forsupplying oil to the cam roller and to said groove comprising an oil passage formed through said shaftand opening into recess receiving said cam roller for discharge of oil thereinto said grooves.

5. A valve actuating mechanism comprising a lever pivotally mounted at one end and having its other end coupled to a valve stem, said lever having a recess formed therein and further having a. groove formed along the inner face of the recess, a cam formed in said groove, a shaft extending transversely of the lever and passing through said recess, a cam follower carried by said shaft adapted to work in said groove,-resilient means normally urging said lever upwardly, a cap covering said recess and grooved to receive said cam follower, collars carried by said shaft enclosing said recess and said cap, and means engaging said lever for vertically adjusting the same; I

r 6. In a valve operating mechanism, for .internal combustion engines including a valve having a stem, an elongated member pivotally. mounted at one end and. having its other end attached to said "valve stem, resilient means norinally'urging'said valve in a direction to effect normal closing of the same, said elongated member formed to provide a semicircular recess having a groove formed about the inner face of said recess, a shaft extending transversely through said recess, a cam bodycarried by said shaft, said cam body adapted to position in said groove said shaft alsocarrying collars enclosing said cam-body and said groove (a graduated cam surface formedwithin the groove) for contact with said cam body said cam body beingmounted upon said shaft between said collars and means for supplying oil to the cam body and intosaid groove; Y

7. A valve actuating mechanism comprising a support designed to form part of an engine head, a valve swingingly and flexibly connected with said support, said valves con-i necting'member carrying a semi-circular recess and having the wall of said recess provided with a groove, a cam body within the groove, a cap adapted to be secured over said recess having a grooved recess formed therein, coinciding with the groove in theirece'ss which is carried by said connectingme'lnber, a I cam roller shaft extending through the opening formed by said coinciding recesses, a cam roller carried by the shaft, collars carriedby the'shaft enclosing said roller and said grooved recesses, said roller adapted to position in said grooves for engagement with said cam body, means carried by said connecting member for regulating the length of valve stroke and resilient means normally urging said valvein a direction to effect normal closing of-thesame.

Inv testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

PAUL GERARD. 

